Movies: Hairspray

"Hairspray" is a movie based on a musical that's based on a movie. Set in the '60s, it's part feel-good musical, part segregation-era racial prejudice parable, and part goofball comedy. I've never seen the original John Waters film, nor the Tony-winning Broadway show, so I have no way of comparing how this version stacks up:



The movie's about Tracy Turnblad, a high school gal who dreams of dancing on "The Corny Collins Show." Along the way, she battles the disdain of others (she's overweight, but still a capable dancer) and racial segregation. Along for the ride are John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

It's a funny movie, at least when you're seeing it with a group of friends. A lot of the humor emanates from the lead actress, Nikki Blonsky, who has a pretty face to go along with her "pleasantly plump" figure. There's quite a few retro jokes (nothing like seeing pregnant women smoking and having martinis) that should make most people laugh.

There are some problems, of course. The wickedly self-conscious '60s treatment of segregation ("Negro Day" and "Nap-away") is funny for awhile, but it starts to get grating when you hear the whole "we-shall-overcome" business again and again. Additionally, much of the cast just aren't very good singers - when Queen Latifah and Pfeiffer have a split-screen musical number, it's pretty obvious Pfeiffer can't keep up with the likes of the Queen.

Rating: 8/10